How do we object to taxpayers money being used to compensate criminals who've had to go cold turkey?

Question

I don't care if they are dependent on drugs - they're illegal. So how do we let the government know we object, rather than just talk and moan?

Further to the reports in today's newspapers that criminals are suing the government for compensation because they're suffering, having to go cold turkey.

Also think on this: The NHS pays to remove tattoos but won't pay out fo rthe necessary drugs for Alzheimers!

Answer 1

Don't vote labour at the next election!!! You could get everyone in the country to stand and shout at them but they wouldn't listen!

Answer 2

I was stunned to see a news story awhile back on how taxpayer's money is spent in prisons. Did you know that California will pay for a male prisoner to have his breasts reduced? It's a "self-esteem" issue. Good grief! All the homeless people in California, and the state pays for male breast reduction. Pretty pathetic!!

Found this relevant blog entry:

As a followup to the last blog entry, I want to mention an article I just read in today's news.

At the same time a Federal judge in Iowa is banning programs that actually change the life of prisoners for the better, while simultaneously making society safer and less likely for these prisoners to re-offend, another Federal judge is about to rule on the issue of whether or not states must pay for a prisoner's right to have sex-change operations.

Now, several states have already ordered prisons to allow sex-change wanna be's to receive hormone therapy at state's expense. But, now they are deciding whether or not the state must pay for the whole program: from hormones to the surgery itself and even ongoing counseling.

Excuse me, but how come the programs that actually HELP prisoners become a productive person in society are banned, but programs that help the perverted who don't seek to make amends get the thumbs up?

Don't be fooled: there is a large group of lawyers who are pushing this issue to go in the favor of the trans-gender offender. I bet my life that some of those same people would argue to their deaths about how wrong it is to fund Prison Fellowship, or even ALLOW them into the prisons to help change lives.

What do you think? Should the state taxpayers fund a convicted wife murderer's sex-change operation, like a Massachusetts inmate is fighting for?

You will never guess who is behind this absurd movement.

It's the ACLU." (The blog entry continues, but this was the relevant part)

Now, I have heard that California will also pay for sex-change operations, but I'm not certain that's true. If it is, that's pretty sad. Think how many law-abiding citizens could be helped with that money.

Answer 3

I think that a petition would be the best advice with hundreds of signatures taken to number 10.
There are so many things on which the tax payers money is
wasted such as paying for illegal imigrants to stay in 5 star hotels.
Problem is though that a conservative government would not be any better and they have a reputation of increasing taxes.
Perhaps it's a question of "the devil you know" ??

Answer 4

Another one voicing their views on this!!!!

See my question too
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak1_ZpneaQkI.RAoek_kpd0gBgx.?qid=20061113054444AAe1x6D

I think if we all voice our opinions on this to MP's and councillors alike then we the law abiding citizens might get somewhere for a change.
My view is where would this money be spent if we didn't give these prisoners compensation? This is going to cost the government plenty! Don't our schools and hospitals deserve this money MORE than someone who has commited a crime?

These drug addicts knew the consequences if they got caught - so TOUGH LUCK & DEAL with it!!!!!!

Jails are easy street as it is - TVs, Playstations, etc.

YOU DO THE CRIME - YOU PAY THE TIME not WE PAY YOU!

How much longer is this government going to bury it's head in the sand and keep kicking the honest decent folk in the BUTT?

Answer 5

another one for cherie blair and co ,what right do criminals have to obtain ILLEGAL substances in prison does the m.o. have to contact the local pusher . Its ridiculous the cabinet should sack the home office civil servant involved and as this particular case was settled out of court send Lord FAlconer to the High Court for a ruling ,an illegal act cannot be seen as a right .This precedent means that junkies on the outside have the same rights as inside so drugs are now legal.

Answer 6

This isn't really much to worry about in the scheme of wasting money. Labour politicians waste far more just on their expense accounts every day.

It was this government that gave the Human Rights act primacy over British law and so you'll just have to shut up and bear it. It isn't a matter for them to decide any more - they have to act within the provisions of the Act and pay up.

Answer 7

You have a really good point but there are loads more, for example criminals in our system have filed for compensation and have got thousands and thousands of pounds because during their time in jail they had to "slop out". However if you are the victim of their crime most won't get compensation or not as much as these criminals are entitled to. Its political correctness gone mad and I for one hope there is a better way than just writing e-mails and letters, or doing petitions - and of course as you say not just to moan to actually change things. I for one won't be voting Labour ever again.

Answer 8

Better that Government changes policy than enforcing "cold turkey". I doubt that aids rehabitation and consequently makes reoffending, with all its costs more likely than if drug addiction is treated as an illness like other compulsive behaviours.

Answer 9

Don't pay taxes. But then you'll go to prison.

It's a crappy world sometimes but that's just the way it is, and the general public just don't have any power, so we pretty much just have to deal with it.

Taxes go on a lot of other things as well though, some of which you will benefit from, so just try and look at it like that.

Answer 10

There is just no common sense left in the british judicial system. It is not the governments fault, it is the people who make these stupid laws (Europe?) that the rest of then have to pay for.